Don’t forget festive libations, including for designated drivers. This is my Black Tea Sangria, served over ice, with apple slices, mandarin orange slices, and frozen raspberries, then topped off with tonic water. I’m still looking for a good name for this mocktail. Have any suggestions?

Don’t forget to spend a little time in nature to get away from the hustle and bustle for preparing for the holdiays…

One of the things that I enjoy about our neighborhood is the number of birds around. At any time of the day, one can hear birds singing. I believe that these babies, nesting atop one of our gutters, are house finches. With good luck, Mama will return with some food.